In the Dutchess County Spotlight
SPORTS MUSEUM OF DUTCHESS COUNTY
There’s a little bit of Cooperstown right here at a museum dedicated to preserving Dutchess County sports history. Displays emphasize athletes who got their start in Dutchess County. They include Baseball Hall of Fame members Eddie Collins and Dan Brouthers, celebrities such as Chuck Connors and Whitey Ford, who played for baseball teams in Dutchess County; recent baseball players Austin Knickerbocker, Elmer Steele, West Westrum, and Ricky Horton; and Melio Bettina, the 1939 light-heavyweight champion of the world. They've put together exhibits on tennis, golf, bowling, soccer, dartball, figure and speed skating, softball, baseball and basketball.
Through December 5, check out a very special -and large- Quadricentennial exhibit on the sport of ice-boating. See a imposing full-size ice boat, circa 1900, whose wooden mast just touches the high, vaulted sailing. Learn about this once popular winter sport through photographs and articles. This sport was brought to the US by the Dutch, so it's very appropriate as the region celebrates the voyage of discovery by Henry Hudson, an Englishman who worked for the Dutch India Tea Company. sp;
Recently a new exhibit room was dedicated to Henry "Moose" Karn. The co-founder of Little League and Babe Ruth baseball in Dutchess County, he also formed Pop Warner football in 1948 after his discharge from the military. He also co-founded the now annual Wappinger Creek Water Derby in 1970 and established this museum. HE left his mark in many other ways as well.
Travel back in time and take a look at some of the first bats and gloves used to play baseball. Their collection includes the tools of the trade used by legends such as Ty Cobb. It's refreshing to look at games untainted by some of the problems faced today. Keep on the lookout for a future Greenway Trail network connection, now in process!
So step up to the plate and visit the Sports Museum of Dutchess County. It's located in the Town of Wappinger off of Wheeler Hill Road at the Carnwath Farm Recreation Facility. The hours are Saturday 11am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm. For information visit or call 845/473-0903 or www.sportsmuseumdcny.org
Check out video of the Sports Museum, now on YouTube! The museum will open during the week for any special group request and can be arranged through Joseph Ennesser 845/297-7026 or William Emslie 845/297-9308.
